Description
Cajun spices dance through this irresistible Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta, creating a symphony of Southern comfort. Rich, creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned proteins promise a restaurant-quality meal that brings Louisiana’s bold flavors straight to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Base:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Liquids:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning generously over chicken and shrimp, ensuring complete coverage.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken pieces until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach full internal doneness, roughly 5-6 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.
- In the identical skillet, melt butter and introduce shrimp. Cook until they transform into a vibrant pink color and become translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Reduce skillet temperature to medium-low. Add minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour heavy cream and milk into the skillet. Incorporate Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, smoked paprika, and remaining Cajun seasoning. Whisk continuously until sauce achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Combine pasta, chicken, and shrimp into the creamy sauce. Gently toss to ensure even coating.
- Taste and refine seasoning with additional salt and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Choose low-sodium Cajun seasoning to control salt intake and customize spiciness levels according to personal preference.
- Pat shrimp and chicken dry before seasoning to ensure better browning and crispy exterior when cooking.
- Use high-quality Parmesan and sharp cheddar for deeper, richer cheese flavor in the creamy sauce.
- Consider gluten-free pasta alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for lower-carb or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg